Analyst Brief February 25, 2026

H.R. 6365 — Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act, as amended

Current Status

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Executive Summary

H.R. 6365 directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit on National Park Service land in Virginia. This action addresses the need for improved emergency access for the Wintergreen community. The bill mandates specific evaluations and reviews related to the right-of-way, including environmental and fire ecology considerations. The bill was reported with an amendment and committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Mr. McGuire

Bill Number

H. R. 6365

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

Mr. WittmanMs. McClellanMr. GriffithMr. VindmanMr. Cline
View on Congress.gov ↗

Arguments For

  • Addresses a specific safety concern for the Wintergreen community in Virginia, potentially improving emergency response times.
  • Could be framed as a bipartisan effort to enhance public safety and access to National Park Service land.
  • May stimulate local economic activity by improving accessibility and potentially increasing tourism.
  • Provides political cover by addressing a local issue with tangible benefits for constituents.

Likely Supporters

Local community groups in Wintergreen, VirginiaEmergency response organizationsTourism industry stakeholders

Arguments Against

  • May face opposition from environmental groups concerned about the impact of the right-of-way on natural resources and ecosystems.
  • Could be criticized for setting a precedent for similar requests on other National Park Service lands, potentially leading to increased development pressures.
  • Implementation may be delayed or complicated by the required evaluations and reviews, increasing costs and uncertainty.
  • Opponents may argue that the bill prioritizes local interests over broader conservation goals.

Likely Opponents

Environmental advocacy groupsConservation organizations

📋 Key Provisions

  • Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit on National Park Service land in Virginia.
  • Mandates evaluations of alternatives to the right-of-way, including converting existing trails to roads.
  • Requires an analysis of expected fire ecology behavior related to the right-of-way.
  • Demands completion of required reviews in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code.
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Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 11

The bill mandates the Secretary of Interior to issue a right-of-way.

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"Secretary of the Interior may issue"

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 19

The bill references a map entitled ‘Blue Ridge Parkway, Proposed Wintergreen Emergency Egress Near Milepost 9.6'.

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"map entitled ‘Blue Ridge Parkway"

Claim Analysis Page 4, Line 5

The bill requires an analysis of expected fire ecology behavior.

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"analysis of expected fire ecology behavior"

Claim Analysis Page 4, Line 11

The bill cites the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

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"National Environmental Policy Act of 1969"